Last checked against the official sources: 29 August 2026
The Führungszeugnis is one of the most frequently requested documents in the German labour market, yet most people who hand one over do not know two decisive things: that entire convictions are not entered on it at all by force of statute, and that you have an express right to read it before it reaches the body that asked for it — and to have it destroyed if you object. Both are written into the Act, not into administrative practice.
The rules as the Federal Central Register Act states them
- Who is entitled
- Anyone who has completed their 14th year, on application. A legal representative, where one exists, may also apply. Where the person lacks legal capacity, only the representative may apply (§ 30(1)).
- Where to apply
- Resident in Germany: at the registration authority, in person or in writing with an officially or publicly certified signature. Resident abroad: directly to the register authority (§§ 30(2), (3)).
- No agents
- Neither the applicant nor their legal representative may be represented by an authorised agent when applying — express wording that leaves no room.
- Who receives it
- An ordinary certificate may be sent only to the applicant (§ 30(4)). Where it is applied for in order to be submitted to an authority, it goes directly to that authority — subject to the inspection rights below (§ 30(5)).
- What is not entered
- A fine of not more than ninety daily rates, or imprisonment or detention of not more than three months — provided no other penalty is entered in the register (§ 32(2) no. 5).
Who may apply and how — and the rule that kills the power of attorney
The entitlement begins at the completed 14th year and is strictly personal: the certificate is issued “to any person on application” concerning the content of the register relating to them. Where a legal representative exists, they may also apply; where the person lacks legal capacity, only the representative may.
The place of application follows residence: anyone living inside the territory of the Act applies at the registration authority — in person, or in writing with an officially or publicly certified signature. Anyone living outside it may apply directly to the register authority. In both cases identity must be proven, and so must the power of representation where a representative acts.
Then comes the rule that defeats a common workaround: neither the applicant nor their legal representative may be represented by an authorised agent when applying. A power of attorney for a friend or an agency does not work — you attend in person or your signature is certified, and there is no third path.
One administrative detail has a practical use: the registration authority takes the fee, keeps two fifths of it and remits the remainder to the federal treasury.
What does not appear on the certificate
§ 32 starts with the rule — entries under §§ 4 to 16 go in — and then sets out a long list of exceptions. The one that matters most in practice is number 5:
Not entered are convictions imposing a fine of not more than ninety daily rates, or imprisonment or detention of not more than three months — where no further penalty is entered in the register. That last condition is the key to reading the rule: a single small sentence does not appear, but the presence of another registered penalty brings both into view.
Other exceptions sit alongside it: a caution with sentence reserved under § 59 StGB; a finding of guilt under § 27 of the Youth Courts Act; convictions imposing a youth sentence of not more than two years where execution of the sentence or of the remainder has been suspended on probation and that decision has not been revoked; and youth sentences where the stigma of conviction has been judicially or by pardon declared removed.
A finer exception also exists: imprisonment of not more than two years where execution has been suspended on probation under §§ 56 or 57 StGB and the register shows that the offence was committed on the basis of drug dependence — provided the decision has not been revoked and no further penalty is registered.
The exception that cancels all the exceptions
This is the provision to read before any discussion of “what does not appear”. The second sentence of paragraph 1 states that the exceptions allowed in numbers 3 to 9 of paragraph 2 do not apply to convictions for an offence under §§ 174 to 180 or 182 of the Criminal Code.
Those provisions cover sexual offences, including those against minors and persons under protection. A conviction in that field therefore appears on the certificate even if it is small, suspended, or otherwise covered by an exception. The rule is absolute here, and the size of the sentence does not change it.
The extended certificate: when it is required and how its data is protected
§ 30a governs the extended certificate, issued on application in two situations: where a statutory provision requires it by reference to this section, or where it is needed for the supervision, care, education or training of minors — professionally or voluntarily — or for an activity comparably suited to establishing contact with minors.
It is not issued on request alone: the applicant must present a written request from the body demanding it, confirming that the conditions of paragraph 1 are met. Otherwise § 30 applies accordingly.
The most important part is what happens to the data afterwards: the receiving body may process it only so far as necessary to assess the person’s suitability for the activity that occasioned the submission, and must protect it from unauthorised access. It must be deleted immediately if the person does not take up the activity, and at the latest six months after the activity was last carried out. Keeping it indefinitely in a former employee’s file breaches the provision.
The right nobody uses: reading it before the authority does
Where the certificate is applied for in order to be submitted to an authority, the default is that it is sent directly to that authority — not to you. But paragraph 5 attaches a chain of rights to that:
- the authority must grant you inspection on request;
- you may demand that — if the certificate contains entries — it first be sent to a local court of your own choosing for you to inspect;
- the registration authority must point this option out to you where the application is made there;
- the court may grant inspection only to you in person;
- after inspection it is forwarded to the authority — or destroyed by the court if you object to it being forwarded.
Applicants living outside Germany have a mirror route in paragraph 6: they may demand that — if the certificate contains entries — it first be sent to an official representation of the Federal Republic of Germany of their choosing for inspection. The same two rules apply there: inspection in person only, and forwarding to the authority or destruction on objection.
In practice this means you can find out what your certificate says before a prospective employer sees it, and stop it reaching them if you decide to — bearing, of course, the consequences of not submitting it.
Practical steps
- Establish which type is being asked for. Ordinary or extended? The extended one requires a written request from the body demanding it.
- Apply yourself. Representation by an agent is expressly barred; the only alternative is a written application with a certified signature.
- If you live outside Germany, go directly to the register authority. Do not route it through a registration authority that is no longer competent for you.
- Ask for it to be sent to a local court if you expect entries. The right is in the statute, and the registration authority must tell you about it.
- Do not assume an old conviction will show. Read § 32(2) no. 5 with its condition: no other penalty entered in the register.
- After the work ends, remind the body of its deletion duty. Six months after the activity was last carried out is a statutory maximum.
Official sources
§ 30 BZRG — applying for a certificate of conduct · § 30a BZRG — the extended certificate · § 32 BZRG — what is and is not entered
Please note: this page is general guidance, not legal advice. Fees and procedural detail differ between municipalities and Länder, and every case is assessed individually — check with the competent registration office or registry office before acting.
Frequently asked questions
Can somebody else collect the certificate for me?
No. The statute expressly bars representation by an authorised agent, for the applicant and for a legal representative alike. The alternative is a written application with an officially or publicly certified signature.
Does a small fine appear on it?
A fine of not more than ninety daily rates and imprisonment of not more than three months are not entered — provided no other penalty is registered. A second conviction brings both into view.
Does that exception apply to every offence?
No. The exceptions in numbers 3 to 9 do not apply to convictions under §§ 174 to 180 and 182 of the Criminal Code, which cover sexual offences.
Can I see the certificate before my employer does?
Where it is for submission to an authority and contains entries, you may demand that it first be sent to a local court of your choosing for you to inspect in person — and if you object to it being forwarded, the court destroys it.
How long may an organisation keep extended-certificate data?
It must be deleted immediately if you do not take up the activity, and in any event at the latest six months after the activity was last carried out.